November 18, 2022 – CMC (Collinsville-Maryville-Caseyville) Rotary presented a check for $1,500 to Collinsville Middle School to launch a new reading incentive program.
Rotary officers Theresa May and John Maue gave the donation to CMS Principal Brad Snow and Library/Media Specialist Michael Hayman. Students from Ms. Bernaix’s English class were on-hand for the presentation.
The money will be used to start a new reading incentive program. Students will earn rewards for reaching milestones based on the number of words they read. The top prize is a $50 certificate for Scholastic Books for every million words read.
The program includes students at all levels of literacy: from rewarding those who are already avid readers, to incentivizing and supporting students who desire to read, but struggle with comprehension. The plan is to expand the program to other CUSD 10 schools.
“We are rewarding students with more reading for their love of reading, and planting the seeds for those still waiting to discover the joy of reading,” said Mr. Hayman.
The donation replaces the CMC Rotary’s long tradition of providing dictionaries to every 4th grader in the district. The proliferation of online dictionaries and thesauruses prompted the Rotary to find a new way to support reading and literacy in the community.